Cigarette extinguisher



9 J. M. RADABAUGH 2,335,695

CIGARETTE EXTINGUISHER Filed June 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 L"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ IN V EN TOR.

Radar, Zaayil,

ATTOR/V'VS 3- J. M. RADABAUGH 2,335,695

CIGARETTE EXTINGUISHER Filed June 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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Nov. 30, 1943. J. M. RADABAUGH CIGARETTE EXTINGUISHER File d June 21, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. 56144 g'fa,

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Patented Nov. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates generally to snufiers and more particularly to an improved cigarette extinguisher.

One object of the invention is to provide a cigarette extinguisher which will, when the lighted end of a cigarette is placed therein, be operated for severing the lighted portion of the cigarette from the unused portion thereof so that said unused portion will not be fouled and will thus be retained in good condition for further use if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cigarette extinguisher employing electro-magnetic means for extinguishing the lighted portion of the cigarette simultaneously with the severing thereof from the unused portion of said cigarette.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cigarette extinguisher which will also be operative for snufiing the lighted end of a cigar.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having improved switch structure for placing theelectro-magnetic means in operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cigarett extinguisher which employs a receptacle for receiving the severed and extinguished portions of said cigarettes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein means is utilized for preventing sticking of the severed portion of a cigarette to the extinguishing jaws employed.

Still further objects of the invention, not specifically mentioned hereinbefore, will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings forming a part of my application:

Fi ure l is a horizontal sectional view of my improved cigarette extinguisher,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure l, the device being shown in inoperative position,

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional View showing the device as it would appear in operative position, a severed and extinguished portion of a cigarette being confined between the extinguishing jaws,

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view showing particularly the switch structure employed,

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view showing the cooperating knives,

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showing a wiring diagram,

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view showing a slightly modified embodiment of the invention,

Figure 11 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line |lll of Figure 10, and

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line l2-l2 of Figure 10.

In the drawings forming a part of my application, it will be seen that like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the views.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates in general the casing of my device. The casing l is preferably formed of light weight sheet metal and may be decorated in any desired manner. As best seen in Figure 6, the casing is substantially oblong or rectangular in contour but as is obvious, the shape of the casing may be varied as desired. The casing I includes a top wall 2 and side walls 3. The casing is closed at its bottom by a bottom wall 4 which is formed of wood, plastic, or other suitable material. Formed medially in the top wall 2 of the casing I is an opening 5, the purpose for which will be set forth in more detail hereinafter. I

' My improved cigarett extinguisher also includes a frame 6 which is mounted within the casing. The frame 6 includes supporting legs 1 which are preferably four in number and which are mounted in pairs on each end of said frame. Said frame also includes end plates 8 and 9 which are disposed in parallel spaced relation to each other and are spaced apart by means of pairs of guide tubes 10 and II, the pairs of guide tubes being also arranged in parallel spaced relation to each other and the tubes of each pair of guide tubes having their open ends disposed in opposite directions. As best seen in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, the corresponding upper ends of the supporting legs 1 are connected with the guid tubes Ill and II for supporting the frame within the casing. The frame also includes a cutter guide sleeve 12 which extends between the midportions of the upper edges of the end plates medially of their lengths.

Mounted on the frame 6 and extending between the end plates 8 and 9 thereof at opposite ends of the frame are magnets I3 and I4, said magnets being of conventional design. The mag+ nets, as will be seen, are disposed in close parallel spaced relation to the guide tubes l and l l and are disposed beneath and at each side of the cutter guide sleeve [2.

The cutter guide sleeve I2 is formed, medially of its length and width, with a circular cigarette receiving opening l5, and mounted in the opening I5 is a receiving tube l6 which is formed with an outwardly flared upper end l1. As best seen in Figure 4, the cutter guide sleeve [2 is formed with an opening I8 which alines with the opening and communicates with the interior of the casing. Slidably mounted in the cutter guide sleeve are cooperating cutter knives l9 and 20, the knife 19 being disposed beneath the knife 20 and said knives being formed with cooperating V-shaped cutting portions 2| and 22. At their corresponding opposite ends the knives i9 and 28 are formed with downwardly turned portions which are recessed to define yokes 23 and 24.

Connected with the yokes 23 and 24 of the knives l9 and 20 are armatures 25 and 26. The armatures extend throughout the length of the frame and each carries a pair of plungers 21 and 28, the plungers of each armature extending into the corresponding guide tubes l0 and H. Mounted in each of the guide tubes between the closed ends of said guide tubes and the inner ends of the plungers are springs 29, the purpose of which springs is to normally urge the plungers 21 and 28 to extended inoperative position, in which position the armatures 25 and 26 will be disposed at maximum distance from the pole pieces of the magnets 13 and I4. Also, the knives will be shifted in opposite directions to the extent that the cutting portions 2| and 22 will be partially separated for clearing the opening IS.

The extinguisher mechanism per se will now be described in more detail. The extinguisher mechanism includes jaws 30 and Bi which are mounted on the corresponding inner ends of extinguisher plungers 32 and 33 which extend through openings formed in the end plates 8 and 9 and are provided with threaded portions 34 which extend through the armatures and carry nuts 35 thereon, said nuts clamping the plungers 32 and 33 to the armatures and at the same time clamping the yokes 23 and 24 of the knives l9 and 20 to said armatures. As will now be understood, when the magnets 13 and 14 are energized,

tures are shifted, the knives l9 and 20 and the a plungers 32 and 33 will also be shifted toward each other, in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter. In order to prevent the armatures from shifting outwardly to too great an extent, I provide stop collars 36 which are mounted on the plungers 32 and 33 and engage portions of the inner faces of the end plates 8 and 9 for limiting outward movement of the armatures.

The switch mechanism, for closing the circuit to the magnets, will now be described. This switch mechanism includes a rocker shaft 31 which extends transversely of the frame between the end plates 8 and 9. Rockably mounted on the rocker shaft is an arcuate lever 38 and fixed to said lever at its upper end is an actuating element 39 which is formed of wire and is preferably substantially inverted U-shape. The element 39, as will be clearly seen in Figures 4 through 7, is disposed beneath the openings [5 and 18 so that the burning end of a cigarette, projecting through the receiving tube I6, will contact said element and effect downward rocking of the lever 38 on the rocker shaft 31. Fixed to the lever 38 is a contact arm 40 and carried on the free end of the contact arm is an insulating block 4! which carries a contact 42 which contact will be hereinafter designated as a movable contact.

Extending transversely of the frame above the movable contact and beneath the magnet I3 is a contact mounting strip 43 which is formed of fiber, rubber or other suitable insulating material, and mounted on the strip 43 is a fixed contact 44, said contact being mounted above the movable contact 42 for engagement therewith. It will be apparent that, when the lever 38 is rocked downwardly, as hereinbefore described, the arm 40 will be rocked upwardly for engaging the movable contact 42 with the fixed contact 44 for closing an electric circuit to the magnets 13 and I4.

Slidably mounted in the casing is an ash receptacle 45 which normally lies on the bottom wall 4 between the pairs of legs I, said legs serving as a guide for the receptacle when said receptacle is being moved into and out of the casing. A knob 45 is provided on the front wall of the receptacle for permitting convenient manual engagement.

It is believed that from the foregoing description, the operation of this invention will be understood. However, a brief statement is not thought to be out of place. When it is desired to extinguish a lighted cigarette, the lighted end is placed Within the receiving tube It and is forced downwardly until contact is effected with the element 39. In the manner previously described, the contacts 42 and 44 are closed for completing the circuits to the magnets I3 and I4. When the magnets are energized, they will attract the armatures 25 and 26 with the result that said armatures will shift the knives l9 and 20 toward each other. As best seen in Figure 6, the cutting portions of the knives sever the burning ends of the cigarette from the unused portion thereof. Simultaneously, the extinguishing jaws 39 and 3| are forced, by the plungers 32 and 33, into engagement with the burning end portion for extinguishing said end portion. Inasmuch as the action of the knives and the extinguishing jaws is simultaneous and practically instantaneous, no provision for holding the circuit closed will be necessary. As soon as pres sure is released from the element 39, upon the severing of the burning end portion, the contact 42 will be separated from the contact 44 and the circuit will be opened. A stop strip 44 extends beneath the arm 40 and limits said arm against too great downward movement. Thus it will be. seen that the element 39 is prevented from moving out of the path of a cigarette projected through the receiving tube I5. The springs 29 will then urge the plungers 21 outwardly for shifting the armatures and knives outwardly and, at the same time, separating the jaws 3D and 3|.

3 In order to prevent sticking of the snuffed or extinguished portion of the cigarette on either of the jaws 30 or 3!, I provide clearing strips 4'! and 48 which are disposed at each side of the opening it. Either one or the other of these strips will engage the upper end of the sheared portion of the cigarette in the event that said sheared portion should stick to the face of either "of the jaws 30 or 3|, with the result that said 'as' the burning portion is sheared from the unused portion of the cigarette, said unused portion will not be fouled and can be smoked later, if

desired. Attention is further particularly directed to the fact that it is only necessary to place the burning end of a cigarette in contact with the element 39 for accomplishing the severing and snufling operations hereinbefore set forth,

In Figures 10, 11 and 12, I have shown a slightly modified embodiment of the invention. In these views the numeral 59 indicates a casing which is similar "in every respect to the casing l. A frame similar to the frame 6, is mounted in the casing and carries magnets 52, armatures 53, and other associated structure which is identical to that of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The end plates of the frame 5! are shown at 54 and 55, and extending between said end plates is a cutter guide sleeve 56 in which are mounted knives 51 and 58 which are identical with the knives l9 and 20.

Mounted on one end of the upper surface of the sleeve 56 is an actuating lever 59 which is formed of resilient material and which carries a receiving tube 69 which is similar to the tube It, said tube being disposed in axial alinement with openings BI and 62 in the sleeve 58, said Opening 82 being defined by strips 63, similar to the strips 41 and 48.

The main difference between this embodiment of the invention and that of the preferred form is contained in the switching mechanism now to be described. The switching mechanism includes a switch mounting plate 64 Which is suitably secured to the end plates 54 at their lower ends and medially of their lengths. The switch mounting plate carries opposed contacts 65 and 66 which have their upper end portions inclined outwardly. In order to close the circuit through the contacts 55 and 66, I employ a substantially V-shaped bridging contact 61 which is mounted on an insulating block 68, said insulating block being connected with the actuating lever 59 near the free end thereof, by yoke elements 69 and ill, said yoke elements straddling the cutter guide sleeve :2.

It will now be understood that, when the free end portion of the actuating lever is forced downwardly, downward movement will be imparted to the yoke elements 69 and 10, the block 68 and the bridging contact 61, which bridging contact will be urged into engagement with the contacts 65 and 6B for closing the circuit to the magnets. The operation of the invention, after the circuit has been closed, is identical with that of the first described form of the invention.

My improved cigarette extinguisher, in both of its embodiments, is characterized by efficiency in operation and durability in use. By the use of my invention it will be possible to prevent the spread of cigarette ashes and to largely eliminate the first hazard caused by loose cigarette ashes which have not been completely extinguished. As stated, the device is instantaneous in operation.

The magnets employed may be wound for use with the conventional lighting means or, if desired, for use with batteries or other source of electric current.

Attention is directed to the fact that my invention will be operative for extinguishing cigars as well as cigarettes.

It is believed that'further description of the invention is unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A cigarette extinguisher including means for severing the burning end from a cigarette or cigar, means for extinguishing said burning end, and electro-magnetically operated means for actuating said first and second-mentioned means.

- 2; A cigarette extinguisher including a casing,

a pair of opposed knives movably mounted in the ca'singand electro-magnetically operated means for shifting the knives toward-each other for severing the burning end of a cigarette or cigar.

3.. A cigarette extinguisher including means for severing the burning portion from a cigarette, means for snufiing said burning portion, electromagnetically operated means for actuating said first and second-mentioned means, and means shiftable by contact with a portion of a cigarette for closing an electric circuit for energizing said last-mentioned means.

4. A cigarette extinguisher including a casing, a frame in the casing and having end plates, magnets on the frame between the end plates, guide tubes on the frame between the end plates, armatures, plungers connecting the armatures with the guide tubes, knives carried by the armatures and coacting for severing a burning portion from a cigarette, means carried by the armatures for extinguishing the burning portion of a cigarette, and means for closing an electric circuit to the magnets.

5. In a cigarette extinguisher as recited in claim 4 wherein said last-mentioned means includes a lever, and an element on the lever engageable with the burning portion of a cigarette.

6. In a cigarette extinguisher, a casing, a receptacle removably mounted within the casing, means for severing the burning end from a cigarette, means for extinguishing the burning end of the cigarette, said burning end dropping into the receptacle after being extinguished, and electro-magnetically operated means for actuating said first and second-mentioned means.

7. A cigarette extinguisher including a casing, means in the casing for severing the burning end portion from a cigarette, means in the casing for extinguishing the burning end portion of a cigarette, a receptacle in the casing for receiving the burning end portion after the severing and extinguishing thereof, means electro-magnetically operated for actuating said first and secondmentioned means, and circuit closing means for said last-mentioned means operated by contact with a cigarette projected into the casing.

8. In a cigarette extinguisher as recited in claim 7 including a cigarette engaging element, a lever supporting the element, a rock shaft rockably mounting the lever, a contact arm connected with the lever, an insulating block on the arm, a movable contact on the insulating block, a contact supporting strip, and a fixed contact on the contact supporting strip for engagement with the movable contact.

9. A cigarette extinguisher including a frame having end plates, a cutter guide sleeve extending between the end plates, a receiving tube mounted on the cutter guide sleeve, clearing strips mounted on the guide sleeve beneath the receiving tube and defining an opening alining with the receiving tube, coacting knives slidably mounted within the guide sleeve, extinguishing means mounted on the frame beneath the cutter guide sleeve, electro-magnetically operated means carried by the frame for shifting the knives and severing the burning end portion of a cigarette projected through the receiving tube, said electro-magnetically operated means shifting the extinguishing means for extinguishing said burning end portion of the cigarette, and means shiftable by contact with a portion of the cigarette for closing an electric circuit to the electro-magnetically operated means.

10. In a cigarette extinguisher as recited in claim 9 wherein said last-mentioned means includes an element disposed between the extinguishing means.

11. In a cigarette extinguisher as recited in claim 9 wherein said extinguishing means includes a pair of jaws, and plungers connecting the jaws with the electromagnetically operated means.

12. A cigarette extinguisher including a frame,

'means carried by-the frame for severing the burning end from a cigarette, means carried by the frame for extinguishing the burning end portion of the cigarette, a cutter guide sleeve carried by the frame, an actuating lever carried by the cutter guide sleeve, electrically operated means for actuating said first and second-mentioned means, and switch means connected with the actuating lever for closing a circuit to said last-mentioned means.

13. In a cigarette extinguisher as recited in claim 12 wherein said switch means includes a switch mounting plate, switch contacts on the switch mounting plate, a bridging contact, an insulating block, and yoke elements operatively connecting the insulating block and bridging contact with the actuating lever, depression of the actuating lever engaging the bridging contact with the switch contact for closing a circuit.

JOHN M. RADABAUGH. 

